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U-20 WC Rewind: Costa Rica ties Portugal, Zambia blows past Iran and more

Wednesday’s action at the U-20 World Cup in South Korea saw the teams in Groups C and D take to the field.

The most dramatic of the matches came in Group C, as Zambia clinched a come-from-behind victory over Iran, securing passage to the Round of 16 after winning both group stage matches. Costa Rica and Portugal, meanwhile, drew 1-1, both recording their first points of the tournament.

In Group D, Uruguay also qualified for the Round of 16 with a second win, this time a 2-0 victory over Japan. There was another 2-0 victory in the group, as Italy scored twice to beat South Africa.

Here’s a more detailed look at Wednesday’s happenings:

Zambia 4-2 Iran

A six goal thriller saw Zambia score four unanswered goals after going down, 2-0, by the early stages of the second half.

Iran wasted little time in scoring at the beginning, with Reza Shekari scoring from an angle just seven minutes into the match. The midfielder grabbed a brace, scoring a penalty in the 49th minute after Patson Daka fouled Iranian captain Omid Noorafkan in the box.

Five minutes later, the Zambian comeback began, with a goal from forward Fashion Sakala. Enock Mwepu, Emmanuel Banda, and Daka added to the scoring, and by the 71st minute, the comeback was complete.

Zambia, with a second win, has booked a place in the knockout stage. Iran, with three points, sits solely in second.

Costa Rica 1-1 Portugal

Both Costa Rica and Portugal scored a penalty as they both recorded their first points of the tournament.

The Portuguese were the first on the scoresheet after Costa Rican defender Diego Mesen was called for a handball. Diogo Gonçalves converted to give his team the lead in the 32nd minute.

Three minutes after the break, it was Portugal’s turn to concede a penalty, as Miguel Luís took down Jonathan Martinez in the box. Jimmy Marin matched Gonçalves, converting his penalty for the final goal of the match.

The two nations both have a point, with Portugal sitting in third with a superior goal difference.

South Africa 0-2 Italy

Italy recorded their first win over the tournament after blanking South Africa.

The first goal in this match was also a penalty, coming in the 23rd minute. South African midfielder Wiseman Meyiwa fouled Riccardo Orsolini to concede the penalty, which Orsolini himself took. Italy’s second came after Giuseppe Scalera’s long throw-in found the head of Andrea Favilli, who scored in the 53rd minute.

Italy, now with three points, has the same amount of points as Japan, but boasts a superior goal difference. South Africa are at the bottom of Group D after two consecutive losses.

Uruguay 2-0 Japan

The Uruguayans made it two wins out of two after a victory over Japan.

The Group D leaders opened the scoring in the 38th minute through Nicolás Schiappacasse, who scored from an angle. They doubled the score in stoppage time, after Mathías Olivera scored from close range.

Uruguay’s two wins have booked them a spot in the Round of 16. Meanwhile, Japan sits in third, tied on points with second place Italy.

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